The Florida Times Union

Articles from November 22, 2003

Byline: Jessie-Lynne Kerr, The Times-Union *******************CORRECTION November 25, 2003 Travis Drumheller, 34 of Callahan was killed in a one-vehicle accident Thursday in the 6400 block of Lannie Road. A dog in the vehicle also was killed....

Byline: Dan Scanlan, Staff writer Four youths arrested Nov. 5 in connection with a carjacking in Nassau County that ended on Jacksonville's Southside have been charged with the carjacking and armed robbery of a cabdriver. Police said the four...

Byline: Jennifer Fish, The Times-Union When you finish building the base of your wreath with greenery, it's time to accessorize. Here are some tips from staffers at Michael's Arts &amp; Crafts store. -- Location, location: Often, a holiday wreath...

Byline: Amelia A. Hart, Nassau Neighbors staff writer Cathy Robinson Pickett gave birth to two things in 1991: her second child, Garrett; and activism in support of others, like herself, who have HIV/AIDS. Pickett, whose tireless work promoting...

Byline: Christopher F. Aguilar, Shorelines staff writer The Neptune Beach City Council backed off this week from a decision to send city Board of Appeals decisions to federal court instead of hearing them themselves. After voting 4-1 this month...

Byline: Maggie FitzRoy, Shorelines staff writer When Barbara Conway came Monday to her club's monthly luncheon at Sawgrass Country Club, she expected a tasty meal and light entertainment from a high school dance troupe. What she didn't expect was...

Byline: Drew Dixon, Shorelines staff writer A proposed state law designed to protect open beach access has drawn swift reaction from the Jacksonville area and beyond. Scott Shine, chairman of the First Coast chapter of Surfrider Foundation, presented...

Commission to meet The Jacksonville Beach Planning Commission will have a public hearing Monday on a rezoning request for a 550-unit condominium and yacht club at Beach Marine. The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at City Hall at 11 Third St. N. The...

Byline: Beth Reese Cravey, County Line staff writer The Clay County School Board has approved the school calendar for the 2004-05 school year, which has teachers and students reporting to class a few days later than they did this year. But the...

Byline: Alex Jackson, Staff writer Ruth Alexander's Northside home was in ruins. Alexander, 75, has been living in her house on Longspur Avenue for about 31 years. Her deceased husband and his brother built the three-bedroom house with the two-car...

Byline: R. Michael Anderson, County Line staff writer The Clay County Commission used a rare legislative maneuver last week to impose an immediate obstacle to any "casino-style businesses" looking at opening in the county. Commissioners approved...

Byline: Beth Reese Cravey, County Line staff writer Almost three years after it was funded, the long-planned Clay-UNF Teacher Inservice Center is in the final stages of construction, nestled within the campus of Fleming Island High. But the $2.5...

Byline: Garry Smits, The Times-Union Despite a tumultuous season and an uncertain future for coach Tommy Bowden, Clemson could be invited to play in the Toyota Gator Bowl as the game's Atlantic Coast Conference representative, if the Tigers win...

Byline: Maggie FitzRoy, Shorelines staff writer Robin Tackette needed to see a doctor. She desperately needed medication for her high blood pressure. But she didn't have the money to pay a doctor, didn't have the money to pay for medication and...

Byline: BRANDY HILBOLDT ALLPORT, Times-Union home and garden editor With holiday guests due any day now, you've probably turned your attention to making your home look its best. For inspiration, attend the Art &amp; Antiques Show Thursday, Dec....

Byline: Grant McManus, River Bend Review correspondent Passion, art and a kaleidoscope of colors swirled within pools of water at the World Golf Village. On Nov. 15 and Sunday, nearly 750 people came to the 17th annual Koi Show to admire the...

Byline: Drew Dixon, Shorelines staff writer Interactive trails, a children's reading area and a maze made of shrubbery seem to be closer to reality now that plans are in place for a new park behind the Ponte Vedra Beach branch library. It's just...

Byline: Dan Scanlan, Times-Union staff writer When you look at Cadillac's XLR, what image does it Evoq? For Mercedes-Benz (SL500), Jaguar (XK8) and Lexus (SC430), it means there is a new competitor in town when it comes to a mid-size, V-8, rear-wheel-drive...

Byline: R. Michael Anderson, County Line staff writer The County Commission has appropriated the lion's share of the $150,000 needed to purchase two lots in downtown Green Cove Springs, where a two-story wooden house and detached garage stand next...

Byline: Gene Frenette, Times-Union sports writer The Barracudas, Jacksonville's first sports tenant in Veterans Memorial Arena, hope to accomplish what no other minor-league hockey team in this city has ever done over 40 years: duplicate the staying...

Byline: Stephen Kindland, Clay County Line sports writer After four years of tackling bruising fullbacks, towering tight ends and speedy wide receivers who often outweigh him, Clay High School's William Kendrick just keeps on smiling. "I like...

Byline: Drew Dixon, Shorelines staff writer A popular source of weather information for First Coast water junkies is cut off after going adrift for several days. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's weather buoy, normally anchored...

Byline: Beth Reese Cravey, County Line staff writer They doled out money to get in the door. They oohed and aahed over the hundreds of unique hand-crafted ceramic bowls on display -- some simple in their design, others finely detailed, some whimsical...

Byline: DAVE WILLIAMS, The Times-Union ATLANTA -- Hospitals should use medical errors as learning experiences rather than as justifications to punish staffers, an expert in patient safety said this week. "We live in a world that still thinks,...

Byline: Caren Burmeister, Shorelines staff writer Congress is expected to approve a half-million dollars for the Beaches' 2005 beach restoration project and $4 million to dredge the Intracoastal Waterway in Palm Valley, where dozens of homeowners...

Byline: JASON SCHNEIDER, The Times-Union Fletcher's history-making 49-7 win over Flagler Palm Coast Friday night in the Region 1-5A semifinal was clouded by a knee injury to star running back Roy Polite. But the Senators now have two school firsts:...

The Florida women's soccer team can get revenge today. No. 3 seed UF (18-3-2) plays host to No. 14 seed Tennessee (17-4-2) at 1:30 p.m. at Percy Beard Stadium in the Sweet 16 round of the NCAA Tournament. The Gators are 4-0 against the Vols at home,...

Byline: Stephen Kindland, Clay County Line sports writer Clay High School is hosting a four-team, preseason basketball tournament starting Tuesday, and Clay coach Gary Gartin will be using "volunteer" players from the school's general population...

Byline: ALEX ABRAMS, The Times-Union Florida A&amp;M coach Billy Joe knew even before the season started that his team had no chance of making the Division I-AA playoffs. Bethune-Cookman College coach Alvin Wyatt will find out soon enough if...

Byline: Christopher F. Aguilar, Shorelines staff writer An Atlantic Beach man was shot three times Nov. 15 at an apartment complex, and two armed robberies were reported in the city last weekend. Police responded Nov. 15 to Atlantic Arms apartment...

BOLLES 41, TALLAHASSEE GODBY 14 The region semifinals game was tied for only 14 seconds in the third quarter before Bolles scored 27 unanswered points for the home victory Friday night. John Philpot ran 49 yards to score the tiebreaking touchdown....

Byline: Mary Maraghy, County Line staff writer A week before Thanksgiving last year, Selena Hayle felt compelled to host a Thanksgiving dinner for Clay County people who are homeless, lonely or have to work that day. "It was an experimental...

Byline: Brandy Hilboldt Allport, The Times Union Get into the spirit of the season, and glean some great decor ideas. Take a home tour. From St. Augustine to St. Simons Island, Ga., houses are decked in their Christmas best. Here's a list of jolly...

Byline: Dan Scanlan, Staff writer There were chili peppers of all kinds, of course, in the recipes at the Mandarin Area Council of the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce's ninth annual Chili Cook-Off. Chicken and tofu also were mixed into the chili...

Byline: Terry Dickson, The Times-Union BRUNSWICK -- Fire investigators dug through charred timbers and ashes Friday searching for the cause of a fire that destroyed a house built more than 100 years ago and severely damaged its twin next door. ...

Byline: SHAWNA SUNDIN, The Times-Union The husband of the woman who died in September after her Jeep Cherokee was hit and pushed off the Shands Bridge filed a lawsuit Friday against the two companies that had vehicles involved in the accident. ...

Byline: Linda McDonald, River City News correspondent The papers in her hands shook while she read, but her voice did not waver. Strong and bold, Adelina Pollo conveyed the poem's rhyme, even though most in the audience did not understand the...

Byline: VITO STELLINO, The Times-Union The Jaguars' offensive line will be under the microscope again Sunday, but this time Titans coach Jeff Fisher won't have anything to do with the scrutiny. The line has the task of blocking the New York Jets'...

Byline: Alison Trinidad, Nassau Neighbors staff writer The Jacksonville Jaguars are encouraging kids to read, and the Nassau County library system is the place to start. Nassau County's libraries again are participating in the Jaguars' Playbooks...

When historians are surveyed, John F. Kennedy frequently is listed among the nation's greatest presidents. Kennedy, who was assassinated 40 years ago today, was in the Oval Office three years. It's debatable whether anyone can achieve greatness...

Byline: David Bauerlein, The Times-Union The Jacksonville Transportation Authority board voted Friday in favor of constructing an Atlantic Boulevard overpass across Kernan Boulevard. But the JTA board decided more study is needed before making...

Byline: SARAH SKIDMORE, The Times-Union A jury verdict issued this week in federal court determined two Jacksonville-based health companies should pay State Farm Insurance nearly $4 million resulting from a billing dispute. The case may become one...

Byline: Glenda S. Jenkins, Nassau Neighbors correspondent FOOD PICKUP The pickup date for Food Source grocery orders placed with Five Point Baptist Church, 261-4615, is today. The program will provide items for a Thanksgiving meal. For more...

Byline: Toi Jefferson, County Line staff writer Keystone Heights Elementary's music classes will have a special Thanksgiving event Monday. Music teacher Ramona Peronto will host Anna Sucsy, who will perform with her bluegrass group during the morning...

Byline: MARY KELLI PALKA, The Times-Union Jacksonville Public Library officials could delay the opening of a couple new branch libraries in an effort to cut some money from the library system's operating budget. Mayor John Peyton set a $25.7...

Byline: Mike Clark, Times-Union Reader Advocate Dear Call Box: I have a newspaper reporting that President John F. Kennedy was shot on Nov. 22, 1963. Is it worth anything? No name Dear reader: If it is complete and in good condition, it might...

Byline: Brandy Hilboldt Allport, The Times-Union It's holiday home tour time, and one First Coast home is in the national spotlight. An oceanfront getaway at The Villas at Coast Cottages on St. Simons Island, Ga., is this year's Coastal Living magazine...

Byline: John Carter, Staff writer They're hungry to remind us. They're taking steps to make us aware. Hundreds of residents throughout the city will be walking Sunday as they take part in the annual Greater Jacksonville Crop Walks to build...

SUNTRUST BANK MOVING TO HUMANA BUILDING SunTrust Bank will relocate its North Florida regional office to what is now known as the Humana building at 76 S. Laura St., where it will occupy 50,000 square feet. The building will be reflagged SunTrust...

BENEFIT BAZAAR Cats Angels' ABC Christmas Bazaar will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today at the Atlantic Avenue Recreation Center auditorium in Fernandina Beach. HOLIDAY CLOSINGS All banks, the post office and government offices will be closed...

Byline: Alison Trinidad, Nassau Neighbors staff writer The medical employees at Baptist Medical Center-Nassau have elected homegrown talent to serve as their new chief of staff. Gerald Burford, an internal medicine physician born and raised in...

Byline: Alison Trinidad, Nassau Neighbors staff writer Jereline Williams has lived in her Yulee neighborhood for 36 years, eight years in her present house. She and her husband recently put asphalt in their driveway, which is lined with carefully...

Byline: Christopher F. Aguilar, Shorelines staff writer To create a uniform look for signs along Atlantic Boulevard at the Beaches, the Neptune Beach City Council this week considered adopting Atlantic Beach's rules, which call for signs on the...

Byline: Beth Reese Cravey, County Line staff writer The Clay County School Board has approved plans to buy a 25-acre parcel of land in the Coppergate subdivision in Middleburg for an elementary school to open in 2007. The board, at a Tuesday...

Byline: Drew Dixon, Shorelines staff writer The two most recently elected members of the St. Johns County Commission were appointed this week to the board's two top leadership posts. A year ago, Karen Stern and Bruce Maguire took their first...

Byline: Caren Burmeister, Shorelines staff writer Contractors have begun laying a wooden deck on the new $3.5 million fishing pier at Fourth Avenue North in Jacksonville Beach as the construction project has reached eastward to the high tide line....

Byline: Dan Scanlan, Staff writer Dozens of Fruit Cove Road residents at a town meeting got a closer look at a county plan to install 5-foot-wide sidewalks on both sides of the winding road starting later next year. Residents were able to look...

Byline: Bob Thomas, The Times-Union TALLAHASSEE -- Florida State never found its offensive rhythm against Maine in Friday night's season opener, but the Seminoles were able to fall back on their defense in a 69-49 victory over the Black Bears. ...

Byline: Jackie Rooney, Shorelines columnist Thus far, no weapons of mass destruction have been found in Iraq. But there is evidence that, in 6,000 B.C., Saddam Hussein's Mesopotamian forebears were cultivating grapes and making wine, which, consumed...

Byline: Chase Goodbread, The Times-Union LIVE OAK -- The defense with the better reputation entering Friday night's Region 1-3A football semifinal between Raines and Suwannee was the Vikings', with four shutouts in their previous five games. ...

Byline: Amelia A. Hart, Nassau Neighbors staff writer Miss a meeting and you're appointed to a job you didn't want. Or so Murphy's Law of volunteering goes. But Hilliard Action Committee member Kevin Webb recently experienced the law's reverse:...

Byline: Dan Scanlan, Staff writer Two masked men with shotguns stole an undetermined amount of cash late Monday from an employee at Michelangelo's Italian restaurant at 10950 San Jose Blvd., after they were told there was no money in the business....

Byline: Dan Scanlan, Staff writer Police arrested a 20-year-old Fernandina Beach man on a charge of aggravated assault after a gun was used to convince another man to lend his cellular telephone outside an apartment complex at 3544 St. Johns Bluff...

Byline: R. Michael Anderson, County Line staff writer A rash of burglaries at two apartment complexes in the vicinity of Wells Road and Crossings Boulevard in Orange Park kept deputies with the Clay County Sheriff's Office busy Wednesday. Six...

Byline: Christopher F. Aguilar, Shorelines staff writer Following is a list of arrests and crimes reported by Beaches area police departments ATLANTIC BEACH A man reported Nov. 9 that his bank account had been charged $2,916 for a meal at...

Byline: JEFF ELLIOTT, The Times-Union On a night that Sandalwood running back Maurice Wells became Northeast Florida's single-season rushing leader, he shared the spotlight with the Saints defense, which turned in its season-best performance to...

IT'S SHOW TIME FOR CAMELLIAS See the queen of the winter garden at her best during the Camellia Society of North Florida's annual show. It'll be from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Mandarin Garden Club, 2892 Loretto Road. To enter blooms,...

Byline: MARY KELLI PALKA, The Times-Union Staffing a new Main Library twice the size of the one it will replace, plus finding employees for six new and 12 renovated libraries in Jacksonville, is chore enough. Add to that there's a shortage of...

No. 3 LSU (9-1) at No. 15 Ole Miss (8-2) 3:30 p.m. at Oxford (CBS) The stakes are clear for LSU: A victory over Mississippi puts the Tigers in control of the Southeastern Conference West and in the race for the national championship. LSU (9-1,...

Byline: David Bauerlein, The Times-Union The lights went down, the crowd roared, the organ music swelled and Dennis DeGuzman was ready to party. Even in the capacity crowd that packed Jacksonville's spanking new arena for an inaugural Elton John...

Byline: Christopher F. Aguilar, Shorelines staff writer For Neptune Beach residents east of Third Street, speed bumps are out and speed humps are in as the city looks for a more effective way to slow traffic on secondary streets. Speed humps...

St. Johns Country Day School soccer team fell one game short of reaching the Final Four of the state's fall soccer championships, losing to longtime rival Gainesville Oak Hall in the Region 1 final Tuesday. St. Johns surrendered two late goals in...

Byline: EYDER PERALTA, The Times-Union It looked more like the stage a box-theatre company would use: the black floor, only a tiny box in the large room, and the lighting rig, hardly a rock star's play thing. The smoke settled as the crowd, perhaps...

Byline: SHAWNA SUNDIN, The Times-Union ST. AUGUSTINE -- A decade ago there was little to do in St. Augustine after Thanksgiving. In fact many downtown shopkeepers used to close for the winter. But that all changed in 1993 when Nights of Lights...

Byline: Sandy Strickland, Staff writer Robin Manges watched in nail-biting anxiety as her daughter's basketball team went into overtime in a game that would define its season. But the girls from St. Matthew's Catholic School on the Westside pulled...

Byline: Rich Ray, Times-Union staff Have a busy schedule? If so, you have something in common with the members of The Roar of the Jaguars. As Tiffany Bowen details in this week's contribution to the Jaguars Journal at First Coast Community, many...

Byline: Tonyaa Weathersbee, Times-Union columnist Thirty years ago, a line beneath a Times-Union photo of Sharon Chester, then a new University of North Florida graduate, described her as a multiple sclerosis victim. Good thing she ignored her...

Byline: Lamar Thames, Clay County Line general manager It is traditional for newspaper columnists to write their annual "What I am thankful for" columns at this time of year, meaning around Thanksgiving. Since the feasting day is Thursday and I...

Byline: Brian Kosoy, Times-Union correspondent After their near-upset of the Tennessee Titans last week, the Jaguars take their roadshow to New Jersey, where they take on the New York Jets on Sunday. Hopefully Jaguars running back Fred Taylor will...

Byline: Garry Smits, The Times-Union ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. -- The United States is behind the Rest of the World by a point after Friday's foursomes matches in the UBS Cup. The U.S. team members consider themselves fortunate. After trailing...

Byline: Sandy Strickland, Staff writer Nancy Moore has arthritis in her feet and won't be able to put on her walking shoes for this year's Crop Walk to fight hunger locally and around the globe. But Moore said she feels so strongly about the cause...

Byline: Dan Scanlan, Staff writer Hundreds of people will take to the streets of Mandarin and the Southside Sunday to help ease hunger at home and around the world during two of the six Greater Jacksonville Crop Walks to End Hunger. Geneva Presbyterian...

David Tutera Who: A party planner whose list of clients includes Elton John, Barbara Walters, Prince Charles and the Rolling Stones. He is the author of A Passion for Parties (Simon &amp; Schuster, $35) and America Entertains: A Year of Imaginative...

Byline: Susan D. Brandenburg, River City News correspondent When Lauren Robbins of Arlington was 3 years old, she was so agile that her late grandfather, Luther Robbins, nicknamed her "the curtain climber." Today, as the curtain rises on stages...